Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Thomas Oli Strand was born on Feb. 1, 1961, to Shep and Elizabeth (Slattery) Strand in Ainsworth, Neb. and passed away on March 24, 2024, at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, South Dakota.

Tom grew up in Ainsworth and in 1983, he married Patsy Denny of Newport, Neb. To this union three daughters were born: Jessica, Ashly and Sheena. In 2007 they divorced and Tom began his new life with fiancé, Vicki Condon. The last ten years were spent in Winner sharing their life with his daughters and Vicki’s son, Lane Hall.

His grandchildren, Darion Dye, Olivia Strand, DaShawn Sellers-Strand, Chloe Strand, Lily Dye and Bo Dye, were his pride and joy. Tom loved them all and was happiest when they were around. His family, friends and cats were also an important part of his life.

Tom loved the outdoors, spending a lot of time working in his yard and his garden. He had a love for fishing, (especially when he caught that “BIG” one), hunting and driving in demolition derbys with his skeleton on the passenger side.

Tom worked for his father at Shep’s Wrecker Service and Body Repair and spent his life working in various body shops. He was known for being one of the best autobody men around. Everything Tom did he would say, “I did it my way.”

Tom was preceded in death by his father Shep Strand; sister, Angela (Philbrick) Hansen; grandson, Marcus Sellers; nephews, LeRoy and Amos Assarsson.

He is survived by his fiancé Vicki of Winner and her son Lane Hall of Sutherland, Nebraska; three daughters, Jessica Dye and husband Jason of Chadron, Nebraska, Ashly O’Keefe of North Platte, Nebraska and Sheena Strand of Rapid City, South Dakota; six grandchildren; mother, Liz Strand of Ainsworth; brothers, Rick Philbrick and wife Jana of Gillette, Wyoming, Rob Strand and wife Lori of Ainsworth, and Shane Philbrick of Springview, Nebraska; sister, Deb Assarsson and husband Bill of Bassett; mother of his children, Patsy Strand of North Platte; along with many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 1, 2024 at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth with Tammi Painter officiating. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to the family in Tom’s name.  Interment was in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com. 

Wilbur “Bill” Boerner, of Winner, SD, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024, in Pierre, S.D.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Winner Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. 

Bill was born on Dec. 13, 1938, in Winner, S.D. to Harold and Alice Boerner. In Bill’s early years, he lived on the family farm north of Winner. Later, his family moved to Lamar, AR., where he grew up with his four sisters, Lynn, Pat, Shirley and Diane and graduated high school in 1957.

After high school, Bill eventually moved back to Winner, S.D., where he met Carol Ann Olson, and married on Feb. 24, 1968. They had two children, Michael and Sylvia.

Bill worked various farming jobs in the Winner area, which was something he always loved. He left farming in 1989 to work for the City of Winner. Bill worked for the city 14 years and retired in 2003.

 Bill loved the Lord, family, friends, being on the farm and country music. He was musically gifted and could play almost any instrument he picked up or song he heard. He could also build or weld almost anything he could think of. Bill was a member of the Winner Methodist Church.

Bill is survived by his son, Michael (Georgette) of Winner, S.D., daughter, Sylvia (Ron) Nelson of Pierre, S.D. Grandchildren; Melissa Boerner of Pierre, S.D., Lance Boerner of Sioux Falls, S.D., Dani DeVries (Darian) of Sioux Falls, S.D., Gennefier Schuppan of Sioux Falls, S.D., Amanda Nelson of Pierre, S.D, and Matthew Boerner of Winner, S.D. Great grandchildren; Serenity and Ryan Lopez of Pierre, S.D. Sisters; Lynn Elsasser of Dessert Hot Springs, CA, Patricia Gage of Jacksonville, AR, Shirley Shain of Jacksonville, AR and Diane Yates of Cabot, AR. And numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Alice Boerner, wife Carol Boerner, and brother-in- laws, Joby Shain, George Gage and Paul Elsasser.

Belva Delaine Liggett, 76, of Winner, SD, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Center in Winner, SD. 

She was born in Winner on April 7, 1947, to Elmer Clifford “Slim” Colson and Theo Maude Houston.

Belva is survived by her two daughters, Melanie Peterson and Danielle Bredenberg of Casper, WY, her granddaughter, Danielle Peterson in Aurora, CO, and her siblings, Dale (Bea) Colson of Eufaula, AL, Jeanean Jaros of Winner, SD, Connie Moffit of Rapid City, SD, and Rick Colson of Rapid City, SD. She is preceded in death by her brother, Marvin (Linda) Colson.

She retired from the Department of Labor, Job Service Division, after 16 years of service.

We are respecting her wishes to be cremated with no wake, funeral or burial.

Funeral services for Velma Louise Chasing Hawk will  be held April 6 at the Bonesteel City Hall at 1 p.m. Burial will be at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in St. Charles.

Velma Louise Chasing Hawk was born Oct. 25, 1943 to Charles and Virginia (Williams) Roubideaux and began her spiritual journey on March 26, 2024.

She grew up in Winner, South Dakota with her siblings Virgil, Ardith, Joyce, Sandra, Becky, Tim, Keith, Lester and Clara.  She met Clifford Chasing Hawk, Sr. in 1970 and they were blessed with seven children: Brenda, Russell, Cliff “Speedy”, Glen, Dean, Todd and Bev.

Velma and Clifford decided to make their home in Bonesteel, South Dakota where she was a homemaker.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She looked forward to her out of town trips with her daughters Brenda and Bev and loved reading books.

Velma enjoyed family gatherings and attending all sporting events and social events for her kids and grandkids.  She was a proud mother of her children and was considered the mother of the Mad Dog softball team.

Velma is survived by her children: Brenda (Byron) Andrews, Russell – Loretta Roubideaux, Todd (Sandra) Chasing Hawk and Beverly Chasing Hawk; her sister Becky Sitting Bear; sisters-in-law Veronica Valandra, Pauline and Ernest Pourier; special friends Elsie and Linda Red Hill; brothers-in-law Melvin, Richard, Jr and Steven Chasing Hawk; grandchildren: Brandon, Barron, Byron Jr, Brandi Andrews, Jade, Jonah, Trevor, Isaac, Arianna, Dean III, Shandi, Payton, Jaiden, Caden, Wade, Xavier, Spencer, Alexis, Tino, JaWanda, Keith, Royal; great-grandchildren: Brayden, Bryson, Tehya, Trinity, Jaxson, Sienna, LaVeya, Rexton, Zander, Zayden, Zariah, Kynzer, Alice, Jackson, Ava, Xavion, Cavazos and many nieces and nephews.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clifford; one daughter Melissa; three sons: Cliff “Speedy”, Glen and Dean; two grandsons: Clifford Dale and Dean II.

Mom will be missed by all of those who knew her and thank you so much to the Haisch Haus for the loving care, you are greatly appreciated.  Rest Easy Mom !